The warm sunlight filtered through the stained glass of the royal chamber. Vaelion stood before the throne, fists clenched, heart firm.
"Mother," he said with quiet determination. "I want Lunaria to train me."
The Queen raised an elegant brow, studying her son. Her expression unreadable, she rested her chin on one hand.
"Lunaria? The crimson one..."
He nodded. "She's strong. Stronger than anyone I've seen in the palace. She'll make me stronger."
Silence hung in the air like a blade waiting to drop.
Then, she smiled faintly. "So be it. I'll summon her."
Within the hour, the royal knight returned, leading Lunaria into the throne room. Her eyes gleamed like twin rubies, posture regal yet defiant. Clad in her black and crimson armor, she looked more warrior than woman.
"You called, Queen?"
"Vaelion wants you to train him," the Queen replied with a hint of amusement.
Lunaria's gaze shifted to the prince. "Why me?"
"Because you're the strongest," Vaelion said, unwavering.
A small smirk tugged at her lips. "I'll consider it. But I have a condition."
Vaelion straightened. "Name it."
"Kill my father."
The air chilled.
"He's a god," she said bitterly. "But not a true one. He's filth. Three wives. Countless children. My mother and I were treated like dirt while the others lived like royalty. If you want me to train you, then kill him—and all his women, except my mother. Leave the other four children who protected her."
The Queen's eyes narrowed but said nothing.
Vaelion took a deep breath. His jaw clenched. "I accept."
"Again!"
Lunaria's voice cracked like a whip. Vaelion dropped to one knee, panting. Sweat dripped from his brow, his training clothes tattered.
They were alone in the Moonlit Garden, a secret chamber where divine energy flowed freely.
"You're slow," she snapped. "Too soft. A king must strike without mercy."
He got back up, drawing his blade. "Again."
She lunged, her blade slamming against his, sparks flying. Every movement was brutal, yet Vaelion endured. Day after day.
One week in, he collapsed. Blood on his lips.
She knelt beside him, for once gentle. "Why do you push yourself like this?"
"Because I said I'd kill him. For you."
Her eyes widened. A moment passed.
"Then rise, Vaelion. Let your will carve your path."
That night, his eyes awakened—
Eyes of Providence — revealing weak points, truth in motion.
The Divine Arena burned with divine glyphs as Vaelion stood across from Lunaria's father. A towering man of celestial gold, his aura suffocating.
"So this is your mortal pet?" the god sneered.
Lunaria stood behind Vaelion. "He's more man than you'll ever be."
The god's smirk turned cold. "Then let us test that."
From the sidelines, sneering siblings watched.
"I'll deal with him first," Vaelion said, pointing at the loudest.
With a flicker of black light—Voidstep Resolver—he vanished.
A second later, the sibling was on the ground, unconscious. One strike. No magic worked.
"You…!" the god growled.
Vaelion's eyes glowed silver.
"Let's dance."
The god summoned a golden scythe, divine fire spiraling.
"You will be ashes."
Vaelion's vision shifted—Eyes of Providence highlighting weak points.
He ducked under the god's slash, driving his daggers into a glowing glyph near the ribs.
Pain exploded.
Vaelion chanted. "Final Judgment."
A beam of divine energy shot from his sword, tearing through the god's shoulder.
"Impossible…!"
The battle raged, sky cracking, the arena shattering. But slowly, surely, Vaelion cornered him.
To be continued...